Seychelles makes history with first female Designated Minister

The Republic of Seychelles has welcomed the first woman to ever hold the Designated Minister post in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation. Macsuzy Mondon, a former teacher and a champion on education and gender equality issues, was sworn into office Friday during a ceremony at the statehouse in Victoria.

Mondon, who most recently served as Ministry of Education, Employment and Human Resources Development, stepped into the position previously held by Vincent Mériton. During the same ceremony, Mériton was sworn in as the new vice president of Seychelles.

Under the country’s constitution, the Designated Minister fulfills the duties of the vice president if that office holder is unable to do so, and the office of president if neither of them are able to lead the nation.

Mondon said the moment meant a lot to her, and represented another achievement for women.

“I am happy that I am the first woman to take this position,” she said. “I hope that I have opened doors so that more Seychellois women can take such positions in future.”

The 62-year-old Mondon began her career as a teacher, and holds a master’s degree in education from Canada’s Université du Québec à Trois Rivières. She is the mother of three children.

Mondon also is a member of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), a pan-African organization with chapters in 34 countries.

The FAWE mission to create opportunity for girls and women through education is one Mondon has long supported, noting in 2012 that it’s been “an eye-opener” on gender equity in Seychelles from the schools to government – a government that Mondon herself now serves as Designated Minister.

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